A total of sixteen different designs are available in this series. Technically, there are only thirteen original designs…plus three "jumbo" versions of Zakko, Dakkon and Possum (for folks who cannot get enough of these cutie-pies). Needless to say, all of these characters are members of B.A.D. (Beastly Alien Dudes) and have sworn to conquer Earth and anyone who should stand in their way, including Keith Courage and N.I.C.E. (Nations of International Citizens for Earth). Continued below…
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Directions: Saving images on iPhone / iPod
Here are some sample screenshots of the wallpaper with the mp3 player controls and the date display:
DIRECTIONS: If you are browsing this page with an iPhone / iPod, simply press and hold your finger on an image below. A menu will appear with the option to "Save Image". Next, open the PHOTOS application and look in the "Camera Roll" (iPhone) or "Saved Photos" (iPod) folder to find the image you just saved. On the menu bar at the bottom of the screen, tap the icon on the far-left and select "Use As Wallpaper". Mission accomplished.
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MASHIN EIYUDEN WATARU
Keith Courage in Alpha Zones was the North American localization of Mashin Eiyuden Wataru (Spirit Hero Wataru), a PC-Engine game based on a popular Japanese anime television series of the same name. NEC, while promoting the game, made no references to the Japanese anime. Interestingly, a subscription brochure for TurboPlay Magazine featured Mashin Eiyuden Wataru artwork on its cover and promised that the magazine would provide detailed maps for Keith Courage and R-Type. These maps never materialized, however. Indeed, Keith Courage received minimal coverage in TurboPlay. It was not until the seventh issue of TurboPlay Magazine (June / July 1991) that readers would find a strategy guide for beating Mr. Roboto and Titan Warrior, two bosses from the Alpha Zones.
Speaking of Mr. Roboto, someone at NEC clearly was a fan of Styx. Part of the charm of Keith Courage are the names bestowed upon the characters: Kitty, Stitch, Big Face, Long Bones, Baron Chairman, Dr. Sting, Devil Foot, Dakkon, Possum, Dongoro, Zakko…Mr. Roboto. Unfortunately, Mr. Roboto is not pictured in either the Japanese or North American instruction manuals:
Any video game manual that pays homage to Dennis DeYoung and Styx deserves some love. I should point out that there are no fireballs in the Styx video, but there are plenty of robots moving back and forth.
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DOMO ARIGATO MR. ZAKKO
You may have noticed that this series of Keith Courage wallpaper is similar to the earlier Bonk's Revenge Wallpaper. I like things subdued and sullen. Now, some of you might not be thrilled with the smudgy, silver-gray aesthetic, but Zakko loves it. Loves it. What can I say? Domo arigato Mr. Zakko.
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DONGORO, POSSUM
Dongoro, as the kids in NYC say, is mad brolic. Possum, on the other hand…
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BIG FACE, DR. STING
Big Face inhabits the overworld. What a charming character with an equally charming name. The character design for Dr. Sting is pretty neat, as far as I am concerned.
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ZAKKO, BARON CHAIRMAN
Zakko stays remarkably cheerful throughout the game, despite the fact that Keith is hell-bent on exterminating it from the Overworld. As for Baron Chairman, well let's just agree that top hats and monocles will forever be the badges of villainy.
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KITTY, DEVIL FOOT
Kitty and Devil Foot, perfect together.
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STITCH, LONG BONES
Stitch! Long Bones! Of the two nicknames, which one is more endearing? And which is more beautiful: a butterfly or a rainbow?
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DAKKON, TITAN GUARD
Dakkon might actually be cuter than Zakko. And why is the Titan Guard brandishing a sword? Melee combat?
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CRYPT CREATURE, JUMBO POSSUM
I like the character sketch for Crypt Creature…but in the actual game, the character is exceedingly lackluster.
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JUMBO DAKKON, JUMBO ZAKKO
Stay-Puft Dakkon & Company. Encore!
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